Packet and label combination

ABSTRACT

A packet and label combination structure for use with a beverage container that houses packets of beverage enhancing formulations on the outer surface of the label which can be placed around the body of a bottle or container of water or other liquid and transported with ease. The packets containing the beverage enhancing formulations have perforated edges linking each other allowing for easy removal of the packets from the underlying label to pour the contents of the packet into a beverage container holding water or other liquid. A significant advantage of the packet and label combination feature is that the beverage enhancing formulations are available at one&#39;s fingertips when needed to infuse water or other liquid in the bottle or container rather than carrying the packets separately along with the bottle or container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/677,082 filed Jul. 30, 2012 which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to container and bottle labels. More particularly, the invention is a beverage label that houses packets of beverage enhancing formulations that can be used to infuse the liquid, primarily, water, held in containers or bottles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The practice of labeling containers, be they beverage bottles, cans, boxes, or other containers to educate and alert the consumer to the contents of the respective receptacles is well known in the art. For example, cereal boxes have labels describing the type and brand of cereal in the box as well as a tabulated nutritional facts label that informs the consumer about the calories and other nutrient content of the cereal. Similarly, beverage bottles have informative labels describing the ingredients in the beverage and possibly information on the calories and amount per serving of nutrients listed on the label and affixed around the circumference of the bottles.

Bottled beverages are generally mixtures and concoctions of a variety of palatable ingredients in a water base. The ingredients are pre-mixed with the water and bottled for direct consumption without the need to add other ingredients. More recently, infusing drinking water with fruit flavorings and vitamins before bottling them has gained in popularity. Besides these commercially available prepared bottled beverages, flavorings and drink enhancers in individual discardable sealed packets are available for purchase by the consumer so that the water in the bottles can be infused with the desired flavorings in the packets. However, this requires the consumer to carry these drink enhancer packets and pouches separately on their persons along with the bottled drinking water. The present invention resolves that quandary by providing a unique beverage label that holds individual packets of beverage enhancing formulations which can be easily removed from the label and the contents of the packets poured into the water in the bottle.

The features and advantages of the packet and label combination concept of the present invention will be better understood through the summary of the invention, representative drawings, detailed description of the invention and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a novel way of transporting packets of beverage enhancing formulations and other beverage enhancing ingredients in liquid, solid, or powder form by having the packets integrated with a label placed around the body of a water bottle or other container for easy access when needed, to infuse the water or other liquid in the bottle or container.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, packets of beverage enhancing formulations are housed on the outside surface of a specially constructed bottle or container label and the label with the packets of beverage enhancers affixed around the body of the bottle or other container. In this embodiment of the present invention, each packet of the beverage enhancing formulation is linked together to form a continuous string of the packets which can be affixed to a label, for placement around a beverage bottle or container. The packets on the strip thus formed are linked to each other through perforated borders on the two longitudinal edges of the packets, to allow each packet to be removed individually from the label, by tearing the packet along the perforations, or peeling the packet from the label in a downward motion without dislodging the other packets on the label. In other embodiments, the packets may be glued to the label with a suitable adhesive that facilitates easy removal of the packets from the label without compromising the integrity of the other packets. In yet other embodiments, the packets may be double layered so that when removed, they leave the back of the double layer behind on the label. In all embodiments, once a packet is removed from the label, a corner of the packet can be torn open and the contents of the packet dispensed into the water or other liquid in the bottle for consumption.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the particular beverage bottle to be used with the packet and label combination would require rectangular indentations spaced equidistant on the body of the bottle in order to affix the label securely with an adhesive to its body. The number of indentations on the body of the bottle can range from one to any number that can be accommodated on the body of the bottle. In this embodiment, each packet on the strip of beverage enhancing formulation packets would fit securely inside the indentations on the bottle

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the packet and label combination can be constructed to house any number of beverage enhancer packets to fit on the body of beverage bottles with any number of indentations. Further in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the packet and label combination can be manufactured in sizes and shapes to suit the size and shape of the bottle and the size and shape of the indentations on the bottle or container.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each label has information about the brand, ingredients in the beverage enhancing formulations, nutritional facts and a UPC code inscribed at one end of the label. The two ends of the label are held together by adhesive strips. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the labels can be removed from the bottle or other container once all the packets of the beverage enhancing formulations are used up and replaced with a label housing another strip of the beverage formulation packets.

In this summary of the invention, and in the specification in general, the various references to, “an exemplary embodiment,” and “ preferred embodiments” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s). Rather, these references to the various embodiments in general mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with an embodiment is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention. Although the present invention has thus been described with reference to its exemplary and related embodiments, these embodiments should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art, that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones described in this summary of the invention and the detailed description of the invention that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the packet and label combination of the present invention that is partially affixed to the side of a beverage bottle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the flavor enhancing beverage formulation in one packet is poured into the beverage bottle.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front as it relates to the back of the packet and label combination of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back as it relates to the front of the packet and label combination of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one section of the front of the packet and label combination of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the individual packets on the packet and label combination of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention combines a beverage bottle and/or container label with beverage enhancing formulation packets housed on the surface of the label so that they are easily accessible for infusing the water or other drink in the bottle or container without having to carry the beverage enhancing formulations separately along with the bottle or container.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like components in the several views presented and discussed, more particularly referring to FIG. 1 now which shows a perspective view of the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention. In this view, one packet and label combination 20 is seen partially applied to a beverage bottle 30 while the second packet and label combination 20 is still attached to the first packet and label combination 20. This configuration, with the two packet and label combinations attached to each other is shown for illustrative purposes. In practice, the first, packet and label combination 20 would be detached from the second packet and label combination 20 and the two ends of the first packet and label combination 20 would be brought around to the reverse side (not seen) of the beverage bottle 30 and sealed together through the length of the adhesive strips 8 at both ends of the packet and label combination 20. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the beverage bottle to be used with the packet and label combination 20 would require rectangular indentations on its body. Referring again to FIG. 1 packets 1 and 2 containing the beverage enhancing formulations are seen securely fitted within the indentations on the beverage bottle 30 with additional packets on either side of these packets housed on the underlying label. The other features of the packet and label combination 20 seen in this figure are, a nutritional facts table 14, a UPC code 16 for scanning at point of sale and an ingredient and brand name 18 located above the nutrition facts table 14. The brand information is generally represented, visually. The ingredients in the beverage enhancing formulations within the packets are also displayed on the outside of the packets themselves.

The perspective view of FIG. 1 also shows a second packet and label combination 20 with the front 10 housing the beverage enhancing packets and the back 12 of the label separated. In practice, the front 10 with the beverage enhancing formulation packets is sealed to the back 12 before the packet and label combination 20 is applied to the beverage bottle 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention, the label is 3 inches to 10 inches in width and 2 inches to 8 inches in height and preferably made from flexible plastic, paper, or other materials from which labels are generally constructed. However, the label can be manufactured to a size that is suitable for particular size beverage bottles and/or containers. In the preferred embodiment of the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention, the size of the packets are proportional to the width and height of the label and are generally in the range of 6 to 26 millimeters in width and 1 to 12 millimeters in thickness and made of plastic, aluminum, or other materials typically used in the manufacture of packets for holding edible solids, liquids and powders. The packets are attached to the label with an adhesive and lay side by side parallel to each other and evenly spaced along the length of the label, with perforations along their long sides for easy detachment from the label. Portions of inner surface between packets may be glued to the bottle or container. The number of packets housed in a label can be varied depending on the length of the label required to skirt a particular size beverage bottle or container. The beverage enhancing formulations contained in the packets may be in a solid, liquid, or powder form. Each label may house packets containing beverage formulations of only one kind or packets with a number of different flavor formulations.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packet and label combination 20 partially applied to a beverage bottle 30 and illustrating further the emptying of the flavor enhancing beverage formulation 9 contained in packet 3 housed on the packet and label combination 20 into a beverage bottle 30 by tearing the top end 3 a of the packet 3. In this embodiment of the packet and label combination 20 once the packet 3 is removed from the label by tearing at the perforations on either side of the packet and pulling out or pulling down the packet away from the label, the back of the packet 3 b that is used to attach the packet to the label remains behind on the label. In this view, packets 1, 2, 4 and 5 are still housed on the label. In another embodiment of the packet and label combination 20 the packets may be attached to the label with a sticky adhesive and detached when needed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front 10 and the back 12 of the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention as the two sides relate to each other to form the packet and label combination of the invention. The inside of the two surfaces are glued to each other to form the label. The front 10 in addition to the packets shown with perforated edges has the nutritional facts table 14, the UPC code 16 and the brand and ingredient section 18 above the nutritional facts table 14.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back 12 as it relates to the front 10 of the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention. The insides of the front 10 and the back 12 are glued to each other to form the label.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one section of the front of the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention with the nutritional facts table 14, the UPC code 16, the adhesive strip 8, the ingredient and brand section 18 with packets 1, 2, 4 and 5. In this view, packet 3 has been removed from the label to expose the back side 3 b of the packet left on the label.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the individual packets on the packet and label combination 20 of the present invention. This view illustrates the packets 1, 2, 3 and 4 from a closed configuration of packet 1 with lid 1 a to the lids 2 a and 3 a partially opened in packets 2 and 3 and the lid 4 a completely removed from packet 4 in preparation for infusing the water or other liquid in a beverage bottle with the beverage enhancing formulation in the packet. The beverage enhancing formulation packets are preferably rectangular or oval shaped, but may be of any other shape, size or design. The packets are generally constructed to stay in a vertical position in relation to one another on the label. This configuration allows for ease of manufacturing the packet and label combination in one assembly.

The foregoing description of the present invention through its figures and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packet and label combination for a beverage container comprising: a first elongated and substantially rectangular label structure; said label structure having a first layer and a second layer; said first layer and said second layer bonded together to form the label structure; a set of packet structures housed on the outside surface of said label structure evenly spaced and lying side by side; said set of packet structures attached to each other through perforated attachment means; said packet structures containing beverage enhancing formulations; said label structure having a nutritional facts table, a UPC code, an ingredient list and a brand name displayed at one end of the said label structure; said label structure having an adhesive strip on each end of the label structure; and said label structure placed around the body of a beverage container with the said adhesive strips on each end of the said label structure brought together on one side of the body of the said beverage container to hold the said label structure around the body of the said beverage container;
 2. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein one type of container to be used with the said packet and label combination is a beverage bottle.
 3. The packet and label combination of claim 2 wherein the said beverage bottle requires rectangular indentations to fit the said packets structures containing the beverage enhancing formulations.
 4. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the packet structures are attached to the label structure with an adhesive.
 5. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the packet structures are detached from the label structure along their perforated edges.
 6. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the beverage formulations contained in the packet structures are liquids, solids and powders.
 7. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the packet structures have a top lid area that can be torn for pouring the beverage formulations in the packets into the water or other liquid in the beverage container.
 8. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the packet structures have the nutritional facts listed on their outer surface.
 9. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the label structure is constructed from flexible plastic, paper and manufactured in any size.
 10. The packet and label combination of claim 1 wherein the packet structures are constructed from materials generally used for holding edible solids, liquids and powders. 